As Ward 1 elections gear up, Regina Romero, Tucson city councilwoman, has started her campaign in high gear.
As a native to southern Arizona and a University of Arizona alumna, Romero said she connects her public service to her family and the way she was raised.
“Both my parents have instilled in me that I have to give back to my country and community,” Romero said.
She was involved in political discussions at an early age.
“My dad was a part of the United Farm Workers,” she said. “At the dinner table we would talk about politics and issues that would impact farm-working communities.”
Romero took Chicano studies courses at the UA and realized she wanted to do something more.
“I realized through history that minorities and women don’t vote as often,” she said. `El Independiente interviewed Romero as she was on her way to Yuma to visit family.
Q: Why are you seeking re-election?
A: “There is still more to be done. Time flies when you are in elected office and I’ve already instituted a lot of work. I’ve brought in millions of dollars in federal funding to the city of Tucson and I want to do more, and continue doing what I am doing. I have worked with a lot of neighborhoods, policies and things we have done on the council. I want to make sure that we move Tucson forward and continue to advocate for the economic recovery of Tucson.”
Q: What contribution have you made to your constituents?
A: “I am really proud of the infrastructure improvements we have been able to do. We (the city council) approved a water policy that doesn’t hand out water delivery to anyone but looks at how we are planning our growth and protecting our Sonoran environment. I’ve worked with neighborhoods to bring in money, improve neighborhood infrastructure, repave roads, walking trails and tree planting. I’ve brought in $63 million from the federal government to help Tucson.”
Q: Looking back, what was your biggest challenge as a councilwoman?
A: “We approved an economic recovery plan for Tucson to be smart about job creation and long- term jobs in the city of Tucson, which is a challenge I am looking forward to. We’ve partnered with Pima Community College and the UA to make sure that we are doing everything we possibly can for job creation and home-grown talented innovation. We should grow our own Google or our own Facebook in Tucson.”
Q: There has been a lot of controversy over the Rio Nuevo Project. What are your plans for the future?
A: “The issues that were of concern for many of us, mayor and council, we have been able to make sure we are cleaning that up and that we’re moving forward to make sure that the infrastructure investments will help leverage private investments. Within the last two to three years, we have seen that there is a return on the public investment that has been done. Yes, there have been mistakes. We have to go in and make sure that we took care of the issues that were there.”
